Page 104 of The Denver Alpha

Before long, we’re pulling up to the familiar little Italian restaurant on the outskirts of town, the realization of its significance dawning in Juliet’s eyes as I claim a parking spot.

“So like I was saying, I had this whole thing planned,” I grumble as I slide the gear into park and cut the engine, turning to face her. “Step one was taking you here, since it’s where we had our first real date.”

A blush spreads across her cheeks as she looks back at me, smiling in approval. “I like step one.”

“Good.” I lean over the console, pressing a kiss to the corner of her mouth before getting out of the car and leading her into the restaurant, my hand on the small of her back.

I’m beaming with pride as I walk in with Juliet beside me, so breathtakingly beautiful that I can hardly stand it. Even the hostess blushes when her eyes land on my mate, and she continues to cast glances her way as she leads us to the table I reserved- the same one in the dark corner of the restaurant where we dined the first time. Juliet and I take seats across from one another- the same seats- sharing a smile across the table holding the same vase with a single red rose inside.

We order drinks- scotch for me, a glass of wine for her- and the waiter brings them out quickly and then disappears, making himself scarce. I asked for as much when I made this reservation, also requesting that the tables around us remain unoccupied. I wanted some semblance of privacy for what I have planned.

“Trying to re-live our first date, Sarge?” Juliet asks with a coy smile, fingering the stem of her wine glass.

“Something like that,” I reply. I lift my glass of scotch, flashing her a devious grin over the rim. “I’m hoping this time it ends better, though.”

“That’s right,” she giggles, sipping on her wine as she recalls the memory. She licks the taste from her lips as she sets the glass back down in front of her. “You gave me the cold shoulder after dinner.” She points a finger in my direction. “Shame on you, by the way. If you would’ve behaved yourself, you totally could’ve gotten laid.”

I swallow down my sip of scotch as I raise a brow. “How am I doing so far tonight?”

She shrugs a shoulder. “I’d say your chances are good.”

I chuckle softly, setting my glass back down and leaning back in my chair. “So step two…” I begin, trailing off as I shift my weight in my chair to reach into my pocket. My hands close around the small box and I pull it out, setting it on the table. “I was going to give you this,” I say, sliding it her way.

Her eyes light up with excitement as she reaches for the box. “Is that…?”

“Hold on,” I laugh, pulling it back before she can snatch it from me. “I had this whole speech planned.”

She sighs impatiently, folding her hands on the tabletop. “Go on.”

“Well now you’ve got me all fucked up, I’ve gotta see if I can remember it.”

“Cole!” Juliet giggles, reaching out to try to take the box from me again.

I hold it just out of her reach, laughing. “Just give me a minute, I need to say this.”

Juliet nods, reining in her enthusiasm and folding her hands in front of her again. Her ice-blue eyes blaze with intensity as she stares into mine and for a second I really do forget what I was going to say, completely lost in them. Then she clears her throat, ever impatient, and I draw a deep breath to begin.

“I never gave too much thought about the future, or what I wanted in a mate,” I say, my eyes trained on hers. “Not until I met you. You’re the most stubborn, frustrating, impossible woman I’ve ever met, but… you’re also the most beautiful, the fiercest, the smartest. The boldest. You’re not afraid to be exactly who you are. You make me feel alive in a way I never have before, make me feel things I’ve never felt. You’re all I’ve ever wanted, I just never realized it until you crash landed in my life and shook everything up… and I’m so fucking glad you did, because I’m so in love with you, Juliet. So…” I lean forward, sliding the box in front of her again. “I know this isn’t what shifters typically do, but we live among the general population here, I’m a public figure. So I want you as my mate, but I also want you as mywife. I want you to be Juliet Bauer, my mate, my Luna, my wife, my other half. My partner in every way.”

Juliet’s eyes brim with tears as I nod toward the ring box. “Go ahead, you can open it now. I know it’s killing you.”

She laughs, swiping away a tear as she picks up the box and flips open the lid. Her eyes light up when she sees the ring inside- a stunning three carat diamond solitaire that I hand-picked just for her.

“I know it’s not practical, but you can wear it for social functions, business related stuff. We can even do the whole wedding thing, if you want that. Whatever you want, just say the word. There’s nothing I won’t do for you, Juliet. Just say yes.”

Tears of happiness slide down Juliet’s cheeks as she nods, choking on a sob. Then she’s pushing back her chair, shooting up to her feet and stumbling over to my side of the table. She falls into my lap, flinging her arms around my neck and slamming her lips down on mine.

Tingling sparks zing between our pouted lips, and nothing has ever felt more right than this moment, this woman.

“Yes, Cole,” Juliet breathes between fervent kisses. “I love you so much. Yes!”

Warmth floods my chest as I kiss the tears from her cheeks, then start peppering them all over, not leaving an inch of her face untouched.

Yes.

That word has never sounded so sweet.

A flash of movement catches my attention as the waiter peeks around the corner, presumably to take our order, but when he sees us and my gaze meets his, he quickly retreats back the way he came. I immediately focus back in on Jules, stroking one hand down her back, the other against her thigh.

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